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Unexpected Grace
It is 2010, Alyssa and Richard Bradshaw are living in West Severance, Vermont, in a house they built beside a rocky brook on land they bought from the Martel family. The Martels live next door on a farm that has been Martel land for generations. The two families get along, even though the Bradshaws are transplants from Connecticut, and the Martels have been Vermonters forever. There are many generations that are a part of this mix, Monika, Alyssa s eighty-four-year-old mother, Danny, Sam Martel s grandson, and lots of others. This is the story of what life throws at people and how they deal with it, not exciting, but real, a window into the lives of ordinary Americans. This is a book about the issues we all face in our lives and particularly at the end of our lives. This book balances life and death, dark and light. It puts a grim subject in context in modern Vermont.
616 pages, Hardcover
Published June 21, 2017
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Ruth King Porter
6 books11 followers I was born in New York City in 1940, and I grew up in Alliance, Ohio, but it wasn’t until I had graduated from St. John’s College and married Bill Porter that I moved to Vermont. That was when I felt as though I had really come home. Books were important in my family. My mother was one of the daughters of Max Perkins, the editor of Hemingway and Fitzgerald. I always read a lot, but I never thought I wanted to write until I had lived in Vermont for a few years. I loved the land and the weather and the people, and I wanted to tell about all of it. If my novels make you feel as though you have spent some time in Vermont, then I have succeeded. There is more about me and about my books on my website, www.ruthkingporter.com
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 28, 2017
A beautifully written, sensitive and emotional story...
Whatever flaws we might identify or frustrations we might feel are trivial in comparison to a reader's pure joy in losing himself/herself in a narrative. When all the elements come together: an intriguing plot, thoughtful, profound themes, complex, troubling, characters, and language that will unsettle for its clarity, directness and confidence; we gratefully set all analysis aside and give ourselves up to the sheer magic of a great book. And for me, Unexpected Grace, is such a book.
Author Ruth Porter weaves an emotional and touching story about two neighboring families living in Vermont. The characters are drawn with great credibility and compassion. She paints a very vivid and convincing story of how they deal with what life and nature throws at them. Although a work of fiction, this story had an intellectual conviction that stayed with me for days are reading it. The illustrations and photographs added an extra element of reality to the narrative.
The book description gives a sneak preview; ‘It’s 2010, Alyssa and Richard Bradshaw are living in West Severance, Vermont, in a house they built beside a rocky brook on land they bought from the Martel family. The Martels live next door on a farm that has been Martel land for generations. The two families get along, even though the Bradshaws are transplants from Connecticut, and the Martels have been Vermonters forever. There are many generations that are a part of this mix, Monika, Alyssa’s eighty-four-year-old mother, Danny, Sam Martel’s grandson, and lots of others. This is the story of what life throws at people and how they deal with it, not exciting, but real, a window into the lives of ordinary Americans.’
Now, if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself to find out! However, I will say that this was well worth the read. It's my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed. This commendable work had me captivated from the opening page. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows extraordinary ability when it comes to storytelling.
It’s one of those books that comes along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader. I will say, however, that fans of contemporary fiction that encompasses rural American family life will love having a nibble on this one!
I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Ruth Porter in the future. I would recommend this book and I would even go so far as to say that this story would benefit from a sympathetic Hollywood treatment. A well-deserved five stars from me.
Whatever flaws we might identify or frustrations we might feel are trivial in comparison to a reader's pure joy in losing himself/herself in a narrative. When all the elements come together: an intriguing plot, thoughtful, profound themes, complex, troubling, characters, and language that will unsettle for its clarity, directness and confidence; we gratefully set all analysis aside and give ourselves up to the sheer magic of a great book. And for me, Unexpected Grace, is such a book.
Author Ruth Porter weaves an emotional and touching story about two neighboring families living in Vermont. The characters are drawn with great credibility and compassion. She paints a very vivid and convincing story of how they deal with what life and nature throws at them. Although a work of fiction, this story had an intellectual conviction that stayed with me for days are reading it. The illustrations and photographs added an extra element of reality to the narrative.
The book description gives a sneak preview; ‘It’s 2010, Alyssa and Richard Bradshaw are living in West Severance, Vermont, in a house they built beside a rocky brook on land they bought from the Martel family. The Martels live next door on a farm that has been Martel land for generations. The two families get along, even though the Bradshaws are transplants from Connecticut, and the Martels have been Vermonters forever. There are many generations that are a part of this mix, Monika, Alyssa’s eighty-four-year-old mother, Danny, Sam Martel’s grandson, and lots of others. This is the story of what life throws at people and how they deal with it, not exciting, but real, a window into the lives of ordinary Americans.’
Now, if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself to find out! However, I will say that this was well worth the read. It's my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed. This commendable work had me captivated from the opening page. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows extraordinary ability when it comes to storytelling.
It’s one of those books that comes along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader. I will say, however, that fans of contemporary fiction that encompasses rural American family life will love having a nibble on this one!
I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Ruth Porter in the future. I would recommend this book and I would even go so far as to say that this story would benefit from a sympathetic Hollywood treatment. A well-deserved five stars from me.
March 12, 2018
Another great novel taking place in the fictional town of Severance ,VT . Ruth hits it right on with her characters and what life gives each of them . Having Hurricane Irene threaded into this novel only made it real to VT life . The title is perfect for the story gives you that feeling of Grace. Thank You Ruth Porter .
I won this book in your contest and it lead me to read all three . Can’t wait for your next one .
I won this book in your contest and it lead me to read all three . Can’t wait for your next one .
June 30, 2018
Very profound novel......
I really enjoyed this book and it came to me at a time when I have a family member struggling with the diagnosis of lung cancer. But instead of frightening me, I found a lot of comfort in this book and could relate to the family members and their various concerns. All in all, I found some peace of mind and a better understanding of necessity for closure in the family......
I really enjoyed this book and it came to me at a time when I have a family member struggling with the diagnosis of lung cancer. But instead of frightening me, I found a lot of comfort in this book and could relate to the family members and their various concerns. All in all, I found some peace of mind and a better understanding of necessity for closure in the family......
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews